Retaining a similar revised optical design that first adopted in 1976, the 43-86mm
has an Ai lens coupling system added during the general Nikkor lens updating program
in 1977. Another easy lens identification was the lens data that previously imprinted
inside the filter rim was now engraved at outer rim of the focusing ring section.
Secondly, as with physical appearance of other Ai lenses, the aperture ring has a
diamond-ridged pattern with ADR scales while design of the grip on focusing ring
was also being updated with a more modern Nikkor zoom lense look and feel. Most seasoned
Nikon photographers would believe Ai version onwards may be a better investment if
compared as the revamped optical design could has various optical aberrations sufficiently
corrected for various subject-to-camera distances, and the lens produces the sharpest
images at about the 3m (10 ft) range, the most usual subject-camera distance. The
NIC lens coating may has also contributed to its high image contrast and faithful
color reproduction

A short remark
from a passionate user wrote in his description: " ..... Nikon’s very popular
short “push-pull” zoom lens in exceptional condition. Clean optics and great cosmetic
condition. Nice tight zoom action... nothing baggy or loose here. .... Includes Nikon
original front & rear lens caps. I believe that this was the last “AI” ( automatic
indexing ) version of this zoom. Every thing working as it should. Nice and compact
measuring 2.5 width x 3” length perfect for when you want just a little extra focal
length from normal. Standard 52mm filter size.... "

NOTE; What Douglas claimed
may have some basis as the Ai version had S/N began with 810001 and S/N of his lense
was a high 1037442. Although there wasn't a Ai-S version that has surfaced thus far,
I would think his lense was near its discontinuation towards 1981.

The colour coded depth of field scales and Infrared index engraved on the lens barrel
are more "simplified" than the pre-Ai versions. Naturally, the Ai version
of this zoom lens carried an additional advantage even if it is used with some newer
series of Nikon MF SLRs that began offering Programmed AE control. Simply stopped
down the aperture to its minimum setting should enable a camera with such capability
to enjoy fully with the exposure control feature (as shown at the image above with
the lens attaching to a Nikon FG camera by Douglas). Anyway, the Ai version also
weighs heavier at 450g than the non-Ai version (410g), possibly due to extra lens
elements used and added lens coupling mechanism.

Although it was
not entirely comfortable to be referred as a Nikkor classic but undoubtedly, it has
sold very well in numbers but more importantly, its commercial success has inspired
Nikon to offer more adventurous design on zoom lens type in the years that followed.
So, this lense still holds an important position at the course of MF Nikkor lens
development program and it is impossible to carry on with other sections in this
MF Nikkor website without highlighting this popular standard-to-tele zoom lense first.

Credit: MCLau®, who has helped to rewrite
some of the content appeared this site. Chuck Hester® who has been helping
me all along with the development of all these Nikon websites;LarsHolst Hansen, 'Hawkeye'
who shares the same passion I have; Ms Rissa, Sales manager
from Nikon Corporation Malaysia for granting permission to use some of the official
content; TedWengelaar,Holland
who
has helped to provide many useful input relating to older Nikkor lenses; Some of the references
on production serial numbers used in this site were extracted from Roland Vink's website; HiuraShinsaku from Nikomat
Club Japan. Lastly,
to all the good people who has contributed their own expeience, resources or kind
enough granted permission to use their images of their respective optic in this site.
It is also a site to remember a long
lost friend
on the Net.Note:certain content and
images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets
& brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible
for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu
KK"
& "Nikkor" are registered
tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Site made with an Apple IMac.